Chapter 08
This accessory would later become an important medium in the latter part of the story.
In other words, it would become the means through which Harriet would finally pour out her feelings for Selene one last time.
‘I can’t accept something like this!’
More importantly, the accessory was a relic of the Duchess of Raymoon, whom Harriet deeply cherished.
The Raymoon ducal family belonged to the Marquess House of Replodin, which believed that only those with wisdom could awaken the amethyst’s special ability.
Because of this belief, when she traveled to the eastern islands with young Harriet, she saw this accessory in a jewelry shop and felt it was fate, so she bought it.
She never once wore it herself and instead gave it directly to Harriet as a gift.
Saying that someday, when someone appears whom you trust enough to entrust your future to, you should give it to them.
Saying that the one who receives it would surely be wise.
‘But why are you giving this to me?’
In the original story, Harriet hides this accessory carefully and later gives it to Selene.
When Selene’s adoptive father, Swen, dies as a duke of the alliance forces attacking the empire, and Selene wants to abandon everything—
Harriet comforts her and, at the same time, gives her something most precious to herself, hoping Selene will lead the empire with her unique ability.
Even though Kelient was confirmed as the main male lead and Selene as the crown princess, Harriet’s unwavering pure love was expressed through this accessory.
This necklace and earrings that would actually stop a war!
Why did it end up with me, someone who is not wise at all and only stubbornly enduring things?
‘I can’t keep this. I need to return it.’
I immediately made up my mind.
Before the story even begins, Harriet must have mistaken it as proper etiquette to give this to her closest friend on her coming-of-age ceremony.
If I accept this, I have a strong feeling the original story will collapse.
I quickly removed everything except the letter and packed it back up.
After tying the ribbon again like when I first received it, I felt calmer.
‘In the original story, Lana probably returned it too, right? Even if he’s a sub male lead… who would like it if something given is taken back? Haha… haha… Harriet isn’t that kind of person.’
Even the original Lana would probably have returned it for her own reasons—saying it didn’t suit her, or it felt too heavy.
She was the kind of lady who originally planned to attend the debutante in such a modest outfit anyway.
Let’s just accept the sentiment, not the object. In this situation, returning it early is the way to maintain a friendship for a long time.
Having decided this, I wrote a letter saying I would return the accessory and asked to meet before the debutante.
If it isn’t mine, I should return it as soon as possible.
Then I called Contact, who was still in my room.
“Hey… can you deliver this letter right away?”
Contact obediently took the letter I handed over.
Then it disappeared before I could say anything else.
It’s not like I asked for anything extra, I’m just returning it—so they shouldn’t refuse.
That should settle it.
I touched my empty collarbone.
I guess I’ll have to buy new jewelry.
Now that my luck had suddenly turned around, why should I ruin my debutante with something plain?
“Maybe I should go to a jewelry shop… tomorrow?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not sure if I can find what I want before the debutante, but I should try. That’s part of preparation too, right?”
After all, I had been studying etiquette every day for the debutante.
And I was tired of dancing until my hips hurt.
With the money I would soon gain from the original plot starting, I could even look for a townhouse in the capital.
I was just organizing future plans when—
Chirp.
A familiar sound rang out. Harriet’s reply had arrived.
“What?! Why is it so fast?”
Maybe Harriet was somewhere she could reply immediately. The response came faster than expected.
I calmed my racing heart and opened the envelope.
“I refuse. I won’t take it.
But I like meeting you. I want to come to the Demierd estate myself.
I don’t want to make you travel while you’re busy with the debutante.
See you then.”
I never sent an invitation card though.
I carefully folded the letter and flopped onto the bed.
Well… meeting before becoming an adult wouldn’t be so bad.
After the debutante, it would be hard to meet often due to public attention.
And once the original story begins, this world will be completely swept up by Selene.
Then Harriet would slowly become foolish from love.
And I, an extra, would quietly live without affecting the world, selling ice cream or even rice drinks somewhere.
‘I feel like my existence is supposed to stay hidden for the sake of this world.’
From the moment I saw the dress, I suddenly felt wronged.
I understood a little.
The desire of reincarnators who realize the original story and want to break it—because they are human.
But I… am different. There would be a proper reward in the future.
Even if I do nothing, I will reach the ideal future I want.
‘Strangely, this life is going too smoothly.’
I can’t say exactly when, but—
If I wake up and read the morning paper, the prices of Swen Trading Company’s goods and mana stones will have multiplied dozens of times.
Selene’s identity will be revealed.
I will resell the exploration stones and gain profit that the Demierd family can trace.
I can avoid Ever, who uses her ability to act superior, and live in the capital under the excuse of adapting to society.
‘Easy.’
Let’s just endure a little sadness.
With that foolish thought, I briefly fell asleep.
“LADY!!!!”
Susan’s loud voice woke me up.
Rubbing my eyes, I asked her,
“What is it—what’s wrong?”
“The rough stones purchased from Swen Trading Company!”
“They were revealed to be exploration stones? Did the price go up?!”
Finally, the excuse to buy a house in the capital had arrived.
I quickly sat up excitedly.
But Susan’s expression was not bright.
With a bad feeling creeping in, I asked,
“…What is it? What happened?”
“They say the other half of the exploration stones sold at half price were purchased by the Retric Trading Company… and now they plan to resell them there.”
I froze in place, then forced a stiff smile.
What the hell does that even mean?
“Retric Trading Company… where is that?”
Damn it.
No matter how I tried, I couldn’t remember.
There was no way Lana, who lived quietly, would know all these trading companies.
And I had never heard that name in the original story either.
What do I do now? If it’s with the Retric Trading Company, the fact that they are exploration stones won’t be revealed.
‘Damn it—why did you sell the item that would succeed in just a few days?’
If the truth isn’t revealed, when will Selene’s identity come out? And what about my money?
I quickly got ready to leave.
Staying at home only slowed my understanding of the situation.
If I left now, I could reach the capital by daytime.
But my grand plan did not succeed.
“Where are you going?”
“Huh? I was just going to the capital for a bit…”
“You’re not thinking straight before the debutante. Lana, go back inside.”
“No—I don’t want to.”
“Try me.”
I ran into Ever.
That damn adoptive sister placed a barrier only I couldn’t pass through the door.
On the surface, she looked like a strict older sister preparing her younger sister’s debutante.
But—
‘I don’t know any other way to make money this year!’
This story is romance-focused, so there isn’t much financial opportunity tied to Selene!
I glared at Ever with tears in my eyes, but she raised her chin arrogantly.
“You’ve been going out too much lately. Not like yourself.”
“…I’m preparing in my own way. Don’t accuse me.”
“What preparation? You just nod and say ‘yes’ with a stupid face whenever someone tells you to. That’s why your debutante dress turned out like that. Hah, I don’t know why everyone said it was pretty like they were enchanted.”
This was the first time I had heard that.
So Lana just wore whatever the designer suggested, even if it was ugly and plain?
It wasn’t just modest—it was like she had no will of her own?
And yet everyone there acted like it was fine?
As I stood there confused, Ever walked up and pushed my shoulder.
“Go inside. The imperial family will soon announce your engagement.”
What are you talking about…?
“Your engagement with His Highness Prince Belthanio! It may be a celebration for our parents, but it’s ridiculous. There are limits to making someone a figurehead.”
“…I never heard about this.”
“Everyone kept it quiet because they knew you’d act stupid and get excited!”
After saying something vague, Ever sighed and turned away.
“As long as you don’t have any major flaws, everything will proceed as planned.”
I was left standing alone at the door.
A stronger sense of unease than when I read the article swept over me.
This… before the original story even starts… am I really supposed to just naturally break off the engagement with Belthanio without doing anything?
Belthanio was going to leave the imperial family and drop out of the story on his own?!
